Sheets for mattresses



`Maly 14, 1957 G. ToMslc SHEETS FOR MATTREssEs 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 16, 1954 INVENToR GUy *7b/v5.10'

arl.,

May l4, 1957 G. ToMslc SHEETS FOR MATTRESSES -3 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 Filed Aug. 16, 1954 .AUTOR/Vif INVENTOR @Uy fms'fo May 14, '1957 Filed Aug. 16, 1954 G. ToMslc 2,791,784

SHEETS FOR MATTRESSES 3 Sheecs-SheefI 3 INVENTOR.

GW fvs/c United States Patent O SHEETS FOR MATTREssEs Guy Tomsc, New York, N. Y. Application August 16, 1954, serial No. 449,912

9 claims. (cl. sss4) This invention relates to sheets for mattresses. More particularly, the invention has reference to a conventional or contour sheet characterized by its ease of application to or removal from an associated mattress, the invention having incorporated therein a novel holder means that can be applied to the sheet with speed and ease, when the' sheet is being applied to the mattress.

'A contour sheet, as is well known, should fit snugly upon a mattress, to eliminate wrinkles and to hold the sheet in place. In this connection, it is often diicult to provide a contour sheet which will fit upon a mattress with sufficient snugness, while still having ease of application when the sheet is being positioned in engagement with the mattress.

One important object of the present invention is to provide an improved means usable in association with a contour sheet, which can be engaged with the sheet at the several corners thereof, below the mattress, after the sheet has been properly positioned upon the mattress, thus to hold the sheet in a properly tensioned position upon the mattress.

Another object of importance is to provide a holder means of the type referred to which will be decidedly inexpensive, the holder constituting part of the present invention being formed from inexpensive metal or plastic material, readily shaped to the desired form.

Another object is to provide, inassociation with a holder of the type referred to above, straps of flexible material stitched to the side and end flaps of the sheet, with said flexible holders being so secured to their associated aps as to define on each strap a plurality of holderengaging loops spaced longitudinally thereof, any of which loops is adapted to receive one end of the holder to be engaged by the strap. In this way, it is proposed to permit adjustable positioning of the holder, so as to accommodate the sheet to the particular mattress in a manner that will insure a fully tensioned, snugly fitting sheet in every instance.

Yet another object is to provide, in at least one form of the invention, a novelly designed type of holder characterized by its resilient expansibility in the direction of its length, this characteristic of the holder being particularly designed to facilitate the application of the holder to the sheet, while still insuring that the holder will be adapted to exert a pull inwardly of the sheet and mattress, upon the engaged side and end aps, to tension the sheet properly about the mattress. v

Still another object is to provide, in the modified form referred to above, means facilitating the grasping of the holder at one end, during the application of the holder to the sheet, or removal of the holder from the sheet.

For further :comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a contour sheet formed in accordance wtih the present invention, as it appears when applied to a conventional mattress, the mattress and sheet being seen from below.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary bottom plan view showing one corner of the sheet and mattress.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, perspective view of one of the holders per se.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 4 4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the sheet and mattress at one corner thereof, during an initial stage of the operation of applying the sheet to the mattress.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan view showing a modified form of holder as it appears when being applied to a contour bed sheet.

Fig. 7 is a greatly enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the holder of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional View on line 8--8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a similar view to Fig. 5 but showing a modified form of the invention.

Fig. l() is a fragmentary bottom plan view showing the application of the holder as it appears when being applied to a conventional bed sheet.

The reference numeral 10 has been applied generally to a contour sheet, the reference numeral 12 being similarly applied to a conventional mattress. The sheet includes a rectangular body 14 proportioned to completely cover the top surface of the mattress, said body 14 being integral at its opposite sides with side flaps 16, and being integral at its opposite ends with end flaps 20. Side flaps 16, at their outer longitudinal edges, are integral with side extension flaps 18, the end aps 20 being similarly made integral with extension end flaps 22. It will be understood that in applying Ithe sheets to the mattress, the body 14 is first positioned upon the top surface of the mattress, the end and side flaps projecting beyond the ends -and sides, respectively, of the mattress. The end and side flaps are then permitted to depend along the ends and sides of the mattress, after which the extension flaps 18, 22 are folded under the mattress, at the sides and ends thereof. Y

lt is preferred that the extension flaps be strongly reinforced, throughout their areas, and one manner in which this may be achieved is shown in Fig. 4, and Aalso in Fig.v

5. In this embodiment, each extension flap is folded double, to enclose therein a reinforcing member of a material such as heavy canvas. The reinforcing member extends over the full area of the extension flap, and the folded-over flap and the reinforcing member are stitched together throughout said area by peripheral stitching. The reinforcing member of the side flap is designated at 24, and that of the end flap has been designated at 26, The peripheral lines of stitching of the respective side flaps have been designated at 28, while the stitching whereby the reinforcing members 26 are secured to their associated extension flaps 22 has been designated by the reference numeral 30. l

In accord-ance with the present invention, adjacent opposite ends of each extension flap, both at the sides and ends of the sheet, elongated, flexible retaining straps 32 are secured. Thus, a-t each corner of the sheet, when the sheet is applied to the mattress, two such straps will bel provided, one adjacent the corner at the end of the mattress and one adjacent the corner at the side (Fig. 2). Said straps at each corner will be disposed perpendicularly to one another as shown in Fig. 2, and in the preferred embodiment of the invention, said straps are formed from relatively wide, strong pieces of material, such as canvasv webbing or the like. The strap 32 is secured at its opposite ends to the associated extension flap by stitching 34,

and is also secured to the associated extension flap, at uniformly spaced locations along its length, by transversely extending lines of stitching 36. As a result, there are defined, in each extension ap, a plurality of loops 3% spaced longitudinally of the same.

A plurality of holders 4t? is used in engaging cach contour sheet about its associated mattress. Four such hol-ders are employed, one at each corner, each holder extending diagonally across its associated corner, between the straps 32 of said corner. Each holder is formed from single piece of material, such as dat metal or plastic, ber to the desired shape. The shape of each holder is shown to particular advantage in Fig. 3, and as will be noted, each holder includes an elongated, straight, llat body portion 42 integral at its opposite ends with folded over end portions or hooks 44, each end portion` being formed at its free end with an upwardly turned terminal part to facilitate insertion of the associated strap 32 between the body portion and the folded over end portion of the holder.

in attaching the holder to the sheet, one first applies the sheet to the mattress in the manner previously dcscribed hcrein. Then, grasping the holder at one end with the folded over portions or hooks turned downwardly, the user shifts the holder under the mattress, to engage the hook of the other end of the holder about a selected loop 33. Then, the other end of the holder, which up to now has been grasped by the user, is manipulated to receive the selected loop 38 of the other strap 32 at the same corner. lu this way, the holder 40 extends between 'the two corner straps, exerting a pull upon said straps inwardly of the mattress and sheet, to tension the sheet about the mattress at the several corners thereof.

It will be noted that the arrangement is such as to permit any of the loops 38 to be employed, so that the holder 4Q can be used in a manner to permit adjustment of the tension exerted upon the sheet at each corner thereof. Further, the arrangement facilitates the use of a single size sheet on mattresses which may differ from one another With respect to the thickness thereof.

In Figs` 6-8 a modified form of holder, designated generally at 46, is shown. In this form there is provided a body portion 48 which is formed as a, flat bar provided at opposite sides thereof with upwardly and inwardly turned guide ilanges 50 (Fig. 8). Slidably engaged in the opposite ends of the body portion, between the guide flanges thereof, are flat, straight inner end portions S?. of hook elements 54, the hook elements 54 corresponding to the folded over end portions or hook elements of the first form of holder.

Secured xedly to the inner ends of the portions 52, and extending outwardly from said portions, are hooks 56, with which are engaged the opposite ends of an expansion spring 58. Spring 58 is under tension, so as to normally pull the slidably mounted hook elements 54 toward one another.

In use of the modified form of holder, ones finger can be hooked into one of the elements 54 in the manner shown in Fig. 6, after the other hook element 54 has been engaged with a selected loop 38. With the finger hooked into the element 54 in the manner shown in Fig. 6, one pulls outwardly upon the device, to extend it longitudinally. After the device has been pulled outwardly against the restraint ot' spring 58 to a sufficient extent, that element 54 in which the finger has been hooked is engaged about the adjacent strap 32, within a selected loop 38 of said strap 32. Thereafter, the linger is withdrawn, and the spring 58, tending to contract will cause the length of the holder to be adjusted to the distance between the selected loops 38. A continual pull will be exerted by the spring, tending to continuously tension the sheet at the several corners thereof, the lines of pull being exerted diagonally and inwardly of theY respective corners of the bed sheet.

Removal of the modified form of holder is, of course, achieved with corresponding ease, in the same manner as previously described herein, that is, one hooks ones ringer in the adjacent end of the holder, and pulls outwardly thereupon to disengage the holder from the adjacent strap 32.

In Figs. 9 and lt), the numeral 1G indicates a conventional bed sheet with the usual corners 11 which may be folded under the mattress 12. In other respects, this form of the invention is similar to the previous form and correspondingv parts may be recognized by similar reference numerals with a prime added.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that l do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modiiications coming within the scope of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new, and' desire to secure by United States Letters Patent l. A contour sheet for mattresses comprising a fabric body, end and side aps thereon foldable under an associated mattress, straps secured to said end and side flaps,

respectively, at each corner of the sheet, said straps each having a plurality of retaining loops, said loops being disposed in a longitudinal series in each strap, and rigid holders extendible diagonally of each corner and adapted at their ends for releasable engagement in selected loops of the straps, each of said' flaps being reinforced over its entire area, the reinforcement of each liap comprising a relatively stid flexible material, each ap being folded over to enclose said material and being stitched .peripherally to the stiff material.

2. A contour sheet for mattresses comprising a fabric body, end and side aps thereon foldable under an associated mattress, straps secured to said end and side flaps, respectively, at each corner of the sheet, said straps each having a plurality of retaining loops, and rigid holdersm extendible diagonally of each corner and adapted at their ends for releasable engagement in selected loops of the straps, each of said holders being formed with a straight body portion and with inwardly turned hook elementsat opposite ends of the body portion.

3. A contour sheet for mattresses comprising a fabric body, endv and side flaps thereon foldable under an associated mattress, straps secured `to said end and side flaps, respectively, at each corner of the sheet, said straps each having aplurality of retaining loops, and holders extendible diagonally of each corner and adapted at their ends yfor releasable engagement in selected loops of the straps, each of said holders being formed with a stra-ight 4body portion and with inwardly turned hook elements at opposite ends of the body portion, each holder being formed from a single piece of bar material bent to shape, said hook elements Ibeing integrally secured to opposite ends of the body portion.

4. A contour sheet 4for mattresses comprising a fabric body, end and side' aps thereon foldable under an associated mattress, straps secured to said end and side flaps, respectively, at each corner of the sheet, said straps each having a plurality of retaining loops, and holders extendible diagonally of each cor-ner and adapted at their ends for relea-Sable engagement vin selected loops of the straps, each of said holders -being formed with a straight bodyl portion and with i-nwardly turned hook elements at opposite ends of thetbody portion, cach holder being formed from asingle piece of' bar material bent to shape, said. hook elements being integra-ily secured to opposite ends of' thel body portion, each of said hook elements including a strap-receiving` inner portion and an outwardly turned. terminal portion. defining a tapered throat through. whichthestrap may be. entered.

5. A contour sheet-for mattresses comprising a fabric body, end' and side aps thereon foldable under an associated mattress, straps secured to said end and side aps, respectively, at each corner of the sheet, said straps each having a plurality of retaining loops, and holders extendible diagonally of each corner and adapted at their ends for releasable engagement in selected loops of the straps, each of said holders being formed with a straight body portion and with inwardly turned hook elements at opposite ends of the body portion, said hook elements being slidably engaged with the body portion at opposite ends of the body portion.

6. A contour sheet for mattresses comprising a fabric body, end and side aps thereon -foldable under an associated mattress, straps secured to said end and side aps, respectively, at each corner of the sheet, said straps each having a plurality of retaining loops, and holders extendible diagonally of each corner and adapted at their ends for releasable engagement in selected loops of the straps, each of said holders being formed with a straight body portion and with inwardly turned hook elements at opposite ends ot' the body portion, said hook elements being slidably engaged with the body portion at opposite ends of the body portion, each holder further including an expansion spring connected between the hook elements and tensioned to normally draw the hook elements toward one another.

7. A contour sheet for mattresses comprising a fabric body, end and side aps thereon foldable under an associated mattress, straps secured to said end and -side aps, respectively, at each corner of the sheet, said straps each having a plurality of retaining loops, and holders extendible diagonally of each corner and adapted at their ends for releasable engagement in selected loops of the straps, each of said holders being `formed with a straight body portion and with inwardly turned hook elements at opposite ends of the body portion, said hook elements being slidably engaged with the body portion at opposite ends of the body portion, each holder ifurther including a-n expansion spring connected between the hook elements and tensioned to normally draw the hook elements toward one another, said body portion including inwardly turned guide flanges extending along opposite sides thereof, said hook elements being slidable between the guide `flanges at each end of the body portion.

8. A conventional bed sheet for mattresses comprising a fabric body, end and side aps, and corner portions thereon foldable under an associated mattress, straps secured to said end and side aps, respectively, at each corner of the sheet, said straps each having a plurality of retaining loops, and holders extendible diagonally of each corner and adapted at their ends -for releasable engagement in selected loops of the straps, each of said holders being formed with `a straight body portion and with inwardly turned hook elements at opposite ends of the body portion, said hook elements being slidably engaged with the body portion at opposite ends of the body portion, each holder further including an expansion spring connected between the hook elements and tensioned =to normal-ly draw the hook .elements toward one another, said body portion including inwardly turned guide anges extending along opposite sides thereof, said hook elements being slidable between the guide anges at each end of the body portion, each hook element having a loop-like portion adapted to receive the finger of a user, lfor extending the holder against the restraint of said spring.

9. A conventional bed sheet for mattresses comprising a -fabric body, end and side flaps, and corner portions thereon -foldable under an associated mattress, straps secured to said end and side aps, respectively, at each corner of the sheet, `said straps each having a plurality of retaining loops, and holders eXtendi-ble diagonally of each corner and adapted at their ends for releasable engagement in selected loops of the straps, each of said holders being formed with a straight body portion and with inwardly turned hook elements at opposite ends of the body portion, each holder being formed from a single piece of bar material bent to shape, -said hook elements being integrally secured to opposite ends of the body portion.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,214,074 4Clarke Sept. 10, 1940 2,465,621 Wheeler Mar. 29, 1949 2,630,588 Levin Mar. 10, 1953 2,662,234 Citron Dec. 15, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 512,376 Great Britain Sept. 1, 1939 

